Friday, October 25, 2013

Delgado Community
College chancellor Dr. Monty Sullivan announced today that
applications are now being accepted for all cohorts of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
program scheduled for 2014. The three cohorts (or classes) are scheduled to
begin in February, June and September, 2014. The program, aimed at helping
existing companies grow revenues and create jobs, is funded through a grant to
Delgado Community College through the Goldman Sach Foundation and is no-cost
to selected participants.

As
part of the 2014 schedule, Delgado 10,000 Small Businesses will offer classes
designed specifically for business owners who have successfully launched
scalable businesses, but who do not yet meet the criteria for the traditional
10,000 Small Businesses program. This session begins in February.

Louisiana Restaurant Association
member Phil de Gruy, owner of Phil's Grill in
Metairie, knew that participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
program would be an investment in his business's future. He was right! The
knowledge de Gruy gained from the intensive business program has
helped him maximize his restaurant's position in the market, manage his
finances for greater profitability, and develop a more accountable and
customer-focused workforce.

Last
year Delgado Community College and the Goldman Sachs Foundation partnered with
The Idea Village to pilot a program geared toward early-stage businesses in the
Greater New Orleans area.

“Based
on the success of this class and a noticeable demand from the local
entrepreneurial community, a second cohort for early-stage businesses will be
launched in February 2014,” said Carla Coury, 10,000 Small Businesses executive
director.

Small
business owners who demonstrate a commitment to growing their businesses and
have been in operation for at least one year, generate revenues in excess of
$25,000, and employ at least one person in addition to the owner are encouraged
to apply to the early-stage cohort that begins in February.

"Being able to identify
areas I needed to work on and take steps to put my business on track for growth
was an invaluable product of my participation in the program," said de
Gruy. "I learned the difference between running a restaurant and running a
business."

Small
business owners who have been in business for two or more years, earn annual
revenues in excess of $150,000, and employ four or more employees (including
the owner) should apply for the traditional cohorts scheduled to begin in June
and September 2014.

Since
launching the program in 2011, Delgado Community College has served 174 small
business owners in the New Orleans/Gulf South region.

With
education programs at community colleges in 10 cities and capital-only programs
in 6 states nationwide, the program boasts more than 1700 alumni and a 99
percent graduation rate. Approximately 63 percent of graduates report that they
have increased revenues just six months after graduating and 47 percent have
created new jobs in the same period. Over 75 percent of all graduates report
doing business with one another.

Delgado Community College works with community-based
partners and national business organizations to encourage small businesses to
apply for the program and to provide business advice, technical assistance, and
networking to program participants. Local partners include Hope Enterprise
Corporation, Greater New Orleans Inc., The Idea Village, the Louisiana Small
Business Development Center and area
chambers of commerce.

Participation
is free to business owners who are accepted through a competitive application
process.

To download
an application or learn more about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small
Businesses program in New Orleans, visit www.dcc.edu/10ksb or call 504-671-5555.